Plan Christmas holidays at Vail Mountain!
The holidays in Vail are a spectacular time of year. Throughout the Christmas season, the Villages and town are decked in colorful lights and festive décor, the mountain is covered in snow, and the holiday cheer is unmatched. With events, festivities and dining, there is so much to see and do in Vail at Christmas. If you’re visiting us this December through the New Year, here are a few tips and insights on what expect and what do for during your Vail Christmas celebrations !
Mountain Access
If you plan to ski or ride on Vail Mountain (and we hope you do) double check your Epic Pass or lift ticket. We have some blackout dates during the holiday season, and if you’re on a pass that doesn’t have that access – it's better to know before you arrive with all of your ski gear.
If you are looking for a lift ticket, we recommend purchasing those online in advance for the best rate. Remember, we’re limiting lift tickets all season long so we’d hate for you to arrive ready to ski or ride of we’re sold out for the day. Don’t forget about your Buddy Tickets or Ski With a Friend Tickets!
Arriving to Vail
We definitely recommend looking at all of Vail’s parking and bus options before arriving to the resort. Visit the Town of Vail’s parking guide for all of the latest parking information. Staying in town? Check out Vail’s free bus system – it's one of the largest free year-round bus services in the country!
Heading up the hill
There are four base area portals for mountain access: Golden Peak, Vail Village, Lionshead Village and Cascade Village. Our gondolas are the most popular way up the mountain with the closest access to the Town of Vail’s parking structure.
However, we love heading up the hill from Golden Peak! It’s only a few minutes' walk from the heart of Vail Village or one more bus stop, and offers a much quieter way up via Riva Bahn Express (6). Some of our locals also love Cascade Village to the west of Lionshead. There’s parking and easy bus access to this very quiet and off-the-beaten-path portal.
Navigating Vail Mountain
First time to Vail Mountain? Want to know what’s good that day? Looking for a FREE tour of the Back Bowls? Stop inside Vail Mountain’s Legacy Hut at the top of Mountaintop Express and get the inside scoop from one of our amazing mountain hosts and guides. We have a special treat this year called Vail Mail! Send yourself a postcard with a signature Gray Malin photograph as a collector’s item for our 60th Anniversary. Postage and postcard on us!
Vail Holidays
From December 15-31, Vail rolls out something for all ages to celebrate the holidays. Don’t miss the Vail Ice Skating Spectacular at the Dobson Arena, or the 10th Mountain Legacy Parade and ski down! And of course, there will be fireworks to ring in the New Year. You can learn about all of the fun programming and more at Discover Vail.
Make Dinner Reservations
There are a ton of options to eat on the mountain, and reservations are only required at The 10th. Stop by the NEW Eagle’s Nest Ice Bar, or the updated gallery-inspired experience at Bistro 14, or even the new Simba’s Café for a warm treat! But once you’re back in our vibrant villages, dinner reservations are definitely recommended. Don’t get left out in the cold, and do some homework before you arrive!
Thanks for spending your holiday with us, and we hope you have a safe, fun and amazing experience here in Vail. Happy holidays and cheers to a healthy New Year!